Sobyanin Warns Total War Economy Would Destroy Russia

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has spoken out against proposals to put Russia's entire economy on a war footing, a move that media reports say has been discussed unofficially within Vladimir Putin's administration. In an interview with Russian propaganda outlets, Sobyanin dismissed the proposals as useless and warned that they could have severe consequences for the whole country.

Sobyanin stressed that stable incomes for citizens and the state budget can only be ensured if the civilian economy continues to function. "Killing a normal economy means killing the state altogether," he said.

The issue of transitioning to a war economy has resurfaced recently, notably after calls from Russian State Duma deputy Andrei Kolesnik, who again voiced support for such a shift.

The article notes that Sobyanin's comments came amid developments related to Russian industry, and includes a photo of a fire at a Russian factory.

While officials have previously discussed restructuring the economy for military needs, Sobyanin's open criticism stands out because it comes from a senior Moscow official. His position suggests possible disagreements within Russia's leadership over economic priorities.